Mancini closes Adriano case

Inter coach Roberto Mancini is determined to draw a line under the Adriano affair.

Brazilian hit-man Adriano has been at the centre of a high-profile dispute after returning late from international duty last week.

His late return to Italy forced Adriano to miss the game with Livorno on Sunday, while team-mate Juan Sebastian Veron was upset with the seemingly special treatment afforded to the striker.

Adriano had asked Inter supremo Massimo Moratti for permission to delay his return to Milan and this was granted.

But the situation still threatened to create a rift within the Inter squad, despite Mancini's insistence that he had no qualms with Moratti's decision.

Adriano has since apologised for his role in the incident and conceded he should have sought Mancini's approval to make a delayed return.

Mancini now hopes the issue can be put to bed, although he left Adriano out of his starting line-up for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Porto.

"Let's stop talking about that situation," commented Mancini.

"It's a closed case."